For the DIY Types, How do You Organize Your Sockets?

September 01, 2017, 01:41 AM

wolfe 21

Any suggestions for organizing sockets in a usable manner would be greatly appreciated. I have my old Craftsman stuff on Wrestling Machine trays and I like them a lot, but their $120 a set and I probably need 2 more sets. I have some duplicates and some loose oddball stuff and some newly acquired stuff and would like something more cost effective, without sinking to the level of the harbor freight metal spring clip rails.
Thanks

September 01, 2017, 01:49 AM

mark123

The spring clip thing seemed like a good idea for me. I got some Kobalt rails with the removable clips. It sucks when you need a socket and can't see the markings and have to remove a bunch to find the one you want. It's also hard to get one to come off because they hold too tight. You have to start with a large one and work toward the small ones. If they get any lube on them just grab some pliers if you want to actually get it off the clip.

I end up just tossing them back into the drawer.

No clips, they suck.

I'd like to find something that keeps them organized that is clearly marked that doesn't require removing many to get to one.

September 01, 2017, 01:55 AM

slosig

I've had great luck with the clips. They slide on a rail and there are (different) clips riveted down in the drawer that the rail is secured with. If I want multiple sockets, I pull the rail out, otherwise I just pull the desired socket. I take sockets off the rail not by pulling straight up, but by pulling them forward perpendicular to the rail. They pop right off, dry and clean or oily.

September 01, 2017, 01:55 AM

wolfe 21

Not cheap, but these are very nice for organizing a set if you have the room. Made in America, anodized and laser etched with sizes.
My only complaint is they have some sizes etched in that I don't have and thus forced me to buy new tools....

You will also need a larger drawer to fit them in. 14-16"

September 01, 2017, 02:04 AM

mark123

quote:
Originally posted by wolfe 21:
Not cheap, but these are very nice for organizing a set if you have the room. Made in America, anodized and laser etched with sizes.
My only complaint is they have some sizes etched in that I don't have and thus forced me to buy new tools....
You will also need a larger drawer to fit them in. 14-16"

Hey, that's nice. I may have to pick up a set after I see how big my socket drawer is.

September 01, 2017, 02:05 AM

SR025

I've had these for about 4 years and have had no issues. I bought them at O'Reilly

https://www.amazon.com/Hansen-...torage/dp/B001C6NL52

September 01, 2017, 03:19 AM

MNSIG

I've got these. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014...gid=pla-350961042428

September 01, 2017, 03:21 AM

sns3guppy

quote:
Originally posted by wolfe 21:
Any suggestions for organizing sockets in a usable manner would be greatly appreciated. I have my old Craftsman stuff on Wrestling Machine trays and I like them a lot, but their $120 a set and I probably need 2 more sets. I have some duplicates and some loose oddball stuff and some newly acquired stuff and would like something more cost effective, without sinking to the level of the harbor freight metal spring clip rails.
Thanks

Craftsman makes some good plastic rails in 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2". Each socket holder on the rail has a spring loaded ball. I put as many sockets as I need, then cut off the rail and put a 10-32 screw and fiberlock nut on the end to keep the holders from coming off. Everything in each drawer is shadowed with foam; I shadow the entire rail and it's very easy to keep track of. If I have a project, just grab that rail out of the box. Everything stays in order, easy to find, clean, and track.

All my sockets go on those rails, including the snap-ons.

September 01, 2017, 04:21 AM

KMitch200

quote:
Originally posted by slosig:
I've had great luck with the clips.

Me too.
I *think* mine are Craftsman but it's been too many years since they were bought. In AZ heat, I wouldn't buy plastic.

September 01, 2017, 07:09 AM

64dodge

quote:
Originally posted by MNSIG:
I've got these. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014...gid=pla-350961042428

Another vote for the Hansen trays. Easy to put them on a cart to move around the shop to the current job and they don't fall over like the clip/rails do, either.

September 01, 2017, 07:32 AM

orionS14

Another recommendation for the Hansen trays from me.

...or if you're feeling cheap, I believe Harbor Freight makes a set that is very similar.

- Brian

September 01, 2017, 07:45 AM

SIG4EVA

I would suggest picking up a Craftsman tool set. I have this one and love it. It's very easy to carry and has everything organized. It's my go to tool set for working on the cars. I also have a 3 craftsman stackable toolboxes full as well but I use the tool set the most.

September 01, 2017, 07:59 AM

ensigmatic

I use the Craftsman socket rails.

Yeah, it can be a PITA to get the sockets off. That also means I can grab 'em by the handle, haul 'em somewhere and be confident all my sockets will still be there. Yeah, it can be a PITA to read the sockets, but I usually don't need to read them, anyway. I look at the bolt head, look at the sockets, choose.

Plus they're economical.

"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe
"If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher

September 01, 2017, 11:22 AM

nhtagmember

I sort mine by age, then height

September 01, 2017, 11:30 AM

sigmonkey

quote:
Originally posted by nhtagmember:
I sort mine by age, then height

He said "sockets", not "socks"...

September 01, 2017, 11:38 AM

comet24

I have an old Craftsman set that came in a plastic container. It's not the best at keeping them separated anymore but works if I'm careful.

September 01, 2017, 11:59 AM

apf383

I like the Harbor Freight version of the Hansens. Tons cheaper, and they store the sockets open side up, which is how I prefer.

September 01, 2017, 12:09 PM

JALLEN

Organize sockets!?

What a concept. I wish I had thought of it.

At least most of them are in the same drawer.

Luckily, I have enough willpower to control the driving ambition that rages within me.

When you had the votes, we did things your way. Now, we have the votes and you will be doing things our way. This lesson in political reality from Lyndon B. Johnson

"Some things are apparent. Where government moves in, community retreats, civil society disintegrates and our ability to control our own destiny atrophies. The result is: families under siege; war in the streets; unapologetic expropriation of property; the precipitous decline of the rule of law; the rapid rise of corruption; the loss of civility and the triumph of deceit. The result is a debased, debauched culture which finds moral depravity entertaining and virtue contemptible." - Justice Janice Rogers Brown

September 01, 2017, 12:37 PM

maladat

I have been using these plastic Channellock socket rails for a few months. I really like them.

The individual socket holders slide very easily on the plastic rail. Each socket holder has a spring-loaded ball detent to keep the socket on. They're easy to snap on and snap off, but they don't come off on their own.

https://www.doitbest.com/products/350872

I've used the metal ones before and was never happy with them - the clips are hard to slide, they're either way too tight or get so loose the sockets just fall off, and the crap metal they're made out of rusts easily.

September 01, 2017, 12:44 PM

wolfe 21

^ That is the reason I am looking right now. I have several just rolling around the drawer and some cheap CHICOM stuff in the bottom 4" or so of a 2 liter bottle I cut off.

SIG4EVA, I got one of those sets when they were still US made and it was still in the case til a couple months ago. It is probably the easiest way to keep stuff organized, but I want to consolidate to one large roller box for the time being to save space.